Muteteka Pleads Not Guilty

Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Chisamba member of parliament Moses Muteteka has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges leveled against him in the Lusaka magistrate court.

The former MMD local government deputy minister was first arrested on August 17 2012 for theft of a motor vehicle, but the case has dragged through the judiciary process under magistrate Aridah Chulu.

On Friday January 11, 2013, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) a government wing tasked to probe graft, arrested the ailing former minister and charged him with nine counts of corruption and abuse of office.

It is alleged that Muteteka, the MMD national youth chairperson who last year suffered a stroke, stole hammer mills, bicycles and some solar panels meant for his constituency.

According to the ACC, in count one, Muteteka on dates unknown but between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011, being a member of parliament for Chisamba constituency as well as deputy minister of local government and housing, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did abuse the authority of his office by giving a hammer mill he obtained from Gender in Development Division (GIDD), meant for the Chisamba constituency, to his sister Rosemary Mulongwe, an act which was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interests of the government of the republic of Zambia.

In count 2, on dates unknown but between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010, he jointly and whilst acting together with other persons, did abuse the authority of his office by giving another hammer mill, to his other sister Elidah Mulongwe, “an act which was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interests of the government of the republic of Zambia.”

In the third count, Muteteka is on dates unknown but between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011 he further gave a hammer mill to his grandfather Mr. Daniel Lyatumba of Mwapwa village of the Kapiri Mposhi district.

In count four, five and six, he is charged with similar offences over the hammer mills he gave to his nephew Isaac Paso, Terry Milambo and his sister-in-law Fallace Chito.

In count seven, Muteteka faces the charge of using Chisamba Constituency funds (CDF) to purchase 26 bicycles, two solar panels, one solar inserter, one solar regulator and one solar battery from SARO agro industrial limited without following the laid down constituency development funds guidelines.

It is alleged in count eight that Muteteka also bought six hammer mills from SARO Agro Industrial limited without following the laid down tender procedures and that he stole a hammer mill bearing engine number |d2.1006.07 1100037 and mill number 8146, the property of the Chibombo District Council.

He has described the charges against him as political victimization by government.